Nature' in the Epic The Mahâbhârata

The Sanskrit for 'nature' is prakrti, which means 'production, completion'; the word comes from a root pra-KR-, meaning 'produce, carry out' but also 'marry, name'. These values seem to cover quite well the way Indians used to perceive nature in the past. It is true that this production is marked by a certain degradation: perfection is sanskriti (hence the Sanskrit or 'perfect' language, just as the prakrit languages are the vernaculars, which are felt to be inferior). But like human life, which is capable of becoming excellent (the role of asceticism), nature possesses parts that are admirable in themselves and come close to perfection

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